Compulsory equipment: do you know what you need to carry in your car and on your motorbike?

Car first aid kit: contents, validity and common driver mistakes

The first aid kit is a mandatory part of the car’s equipment, but it is also one of the most frequent reasons for disputes at roadside checks. Drivers are often unsure about the contents of the first aid kit and whether the first aid kit is valid. According to the current Czech legislation, the expiry date of the whole first aid kit is no longer decisive, but this does not mean that any old or incomplete first aid kit can be carried.

The contents of a car first aid kit are precisely defined by a decree and must comply with the so-called medical standard for road vehicles. The car first-aid kit must contain, in particular, isothermal foil to protect the injured person from cold or overheating, a ready-made dressing with a pad, a ready-made dressing with two pads, a tourniquet designed to stop heavy bleeding, an elastic bandage, a plaster with a pad, a plaster smooth in a coil, a pair of disposable protective gloves and a pair of scissors with a round tip. A brief leaflet with first aid instructions must also be included in the first aid kit.

Missing or damaged items are a common reason why police will label a first aid kit as inadequate. For example, if the first aid kit is missing isothermal film, bandages are unwrapped, soiled or obviously unusable, or gloves are missing, the first aid kit may be considered incomplete even if it is physically present in the vehicle. In such a case, you may be fined for not having the mandatory equipment in the car.

Another common driver misconception is that the first aid kit is not valid and does not need to be checked. Although today the law does not actually stipulate a fixed shelf life for the entire kit, individual medical devices have a shelf life and must be in a condition to be fit for use. If bandages are hardened, mouldy or mechanically damaged, they cannot be considered satisfactory. In practice, the validity of a first aid kit is therefore judged by the actual condition of its contents and not merely by the date on the packaging.

It is the confusion surrounding the contents of the first aid kit and its validity that often leads to disputes, especially if the police impose a fine and the driver believes that he has complied with the equipment. In such cases, it depends on the specific circumstances of the check and whether the first aid kit was actually fit for purpose. It is therefore worth checking the car first aid kit at least once a year and replacing missing or damaged components. It is not just about avoiding a fine, but more importantly about being able to provide first aid in a situation where health or life may depend on it.

In addition to the time period, the “Winter Equipment” sign, which defines the so-called “winter equipment” sections, also plays an important role. Vehicles must always wear winter tyres on these sections, regardless of the current road conditions or weather. These are typically mountain areas or roads where winter conditions occur regularly. If you enter such a section without the appropriate winter equipment, you are committing an offence even in completely dry weather.

A common mistake drivers make is to assume that snow chains, shovels or gritting material are part of the compulsory winter equipment. However, these items are not compulsory winter equipment under Czech law. Snow chains are only compulsory if their use is specifically ordered by a road sign. Otherwise, they are only recommended equipment that can help in extreme conditions, but the law does not require them to be carried.

Failure to wear the mandatory winter equipment can have serious consequences. In addition to a fine at a roadside check, missing or inappropriate winter equipment can have a major impact on the accident assessment. If it is proven that the vehicle was not equipped with winter tires when required by law, the driver may be found liable for the accident or the insurance company may reduce the insurance claim.

Conclusion: Don’t underestimate the mandatory equipment

Mandatory equipment is not just a formal obligation, but an important element of safety and legal certainty. Regular checking of car, motorcycle and winter equipment can save you not only money on fines but also a lot of trouble in the event of an accident. If you are unsure whether you are complying with all of your obligations, or you are dealing with a particular problem, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to provide you with prompt and expert advice.

Summary

Compulsory vehicle equipment is a legal minimum that is primarily the driver’s responsibility, and failure to comply can lead not only to a fine but also to complications in an accident or with an insurance company. In the Czech Republic, a passenger car must always have a warning triangle, a reflective vest and a first aid kit, and it is crucial that the first aid kit has complete and functional contents that comply with the decree – although the formal expiry of the entire kit is no longer addressed, the individual aids must be usable. In contrast, the compulsory equipment on a motorcycle is very limited and the law does not require a triangle or a vest, and a distinction must always be made between what is actually compulsory and what is merely recommended for safety reasons. Mandatory winter equipment mainly applies to winter tyres with the M+S marking and a minimum tread depth of 4 mm, either in winter conditions between 1 November and 31 March or always on sections marked with a road sign with the words “Winter equipment”, while snow chains or other aids are not mandatory unless the sign specifically states so. Special attention should also be paid when travelling abroad, where the mandatory equipment may differ from Czech rules and ignorance of local regulations is no excuse, which can lead to fines imposed on the spot. Overall, regular checking of mandatory car, motorbike and winter equipment is not just a formality, but a practical way to avoid unnecessary penalties, disputes and problems in situations where it is often not only about money, but also about safety and responsibility.